The “Ogasawara Islands” were designated as a World Natural Heritage in June 2011 for its rich and exceptionally unique natural environment.

Until then there were 3 world natural heritages in Japan: “Yakushima” and “Shirakami Sanchi” became a world natural heritage in 1993,
followed by “Shiretoko” in 2005, and the “Ogasawara Islands” became the fourth world natural heritage in Japan.

■Significance as a World Heritage

There are 4 evaluation criteria for a sight or location to become registered as a world natural heritage,
which are “natural scenic beauty”, “topographical/ geological features”, “ecosystem”, and “biological diversity”.

The pristine and unique natural environment of the Ogasawara Islands were recognized as a location that met the criteria for “ecosystem”
at the 35th World Heritage Committee held in Paris, France in June 2011,
and officially became registered as a world natural heritage on June 29 of that year.

The committee highly praised Ogasawara, as a group of islands that despite its size, possesses a high number of endemic species that are unique to the islands,
and that the land snails and plants serve as highly important evidences that show the process of evolution.

These land snails played a significant role for the islands to become recognized as a world natural heritage.
While most of these snails have disappeared from Chichijima, they can still be seen on Mt. Chibusayama and the Sekimon forest in Hahajima.

■Natural Conservation Efforts

In order to protect the precious natural environment of Ogasawara, the islands have implemented conservation efforts
such as local rules developed by various organizations, along with laws designated by the government.

Ogasawara Country Code -10 Guidelines for Coexisting with Nature

These rules were established by the Ministry of the Environment in 1999 in order to protect the natural environment and use accessible routes appropriately.
They are rules and etiquettes that should be observed by all those who visit the Ogasawara Islands.

1. Protect and pass on the precious natural environment of Ogasawara to future generations
2. Do not litter any trash, and take any trash or waste back with you
3. Make sure to stay on designated trails or routes
4. Do not remove, bring, or take back any animals or plants
5. Enjoy observing the natural environment while paying attention to surrounding animals or plants
6. Do not damage unique topographical features such as corals etc.
7. Do not write graffiti to leave behind as a record of your visit
8. Do not camp, as camping is prohibited in all areas of the islands
9. Try to rely less on motorized vehicles when touring the islands
10. “Use water carefully, and keep public facilities such as toilets clean

Shoe Cleaning Mat

There is a mat soaked in seawater available when boarding and getting of the ship. This is a measure to prevent bringing in any organisms or seeds into Ogasawara that may be attached on shoes or clothes, or may be contained in dirt or mud.
There are natural park rangers of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government on the islands that work to protect the natural parks in Tokyo, and ensure that the trails and routes are appropriately used. They are also present when the ship enters and leaves the port to prevent invasive species from being brought onto the islands.

At the entrance of public trails such as Mt. Chibusayama and Minamisaki, there are also vinegar sprays to be used on shoe soles and adhesive rollers for removing any seeds or tiny organisms that may be attached to clothes. We ask visitors to use these equipment and cooperate to protect the natural environment of Hahajima.

Ogasawara Rule Book

This booklet introduces laws designated by the government as well as local rules created by various organizations.
The contents can be viewed on the following website.

The white wagtail, Pacific golden plover, ruddy turnstone, oriental pratincole, and brown booby migrate to the Ogasawara Islands in the spring and fall. At times, there are also other rare stray birds that visit the islands.

Meguro (Bonin Honeyeater/ Apalopteron familiare)

Endemic species Special natural monument Endangered species. Designated as the Ogasawara village bird.
They are slightly bigger than the Mejiro and have a dark inverted triangular pattern around the eyes.
They mainly live in the forests, but can also be seen in the villages.

Akagashira-karasubato (Columba janthina nitens)

Endemic subspecies Natural monument Endangered species.
It possesses a blue/ purple luster that is visible when sunlight hits its black body.
In the past they were referred to as “Ushibato”, which translates to “cow bird” in Japanese, since the way they cry sounds like cows.
Their habitat ranges widely on the islands, and shifts according to season depending on where they can find food.
Therefore they can be spotted in various places on the islands.

Ogasawara-nosuri (Buteo buteo toyoshimai)

This is an endemic (subspecies) bird of Ogasawara, and the only raptor on the islands.
It is an Accipitridae that is also designated as a natural monument of Japan.
Males are 50-52cm tall, while females are 53-60cm tall, and their wingspan is 122-137cm.
They are slightly smaller than the black kites, which are fairly common on the mainland.
They prey on the islands’ cane toads, mice, the Ogasawara lizard, green anole, and small birds.

Ogasawara-kawarahiwa (Carduelis sinica)

This is an endemic subspecies that can be seen on Hahajima between March and September, but their numbers have been decreasing recently.
They are usually spotted in flocks of 5-10, and feed on fruits of trees such as the endemic Munin Aoganpi (Wikstroemia pseudoretusa), or grass seeds.

Endemic Japanese Bush Warbler

This bush warbler is smaller compared to the ones seen on the mainland.
They tend to approach you when standing still in the forest, and their cry is also distinct from common bush warblers.

Scaly Thrush

This bird was introduced to the islands after the war, and then it became a resident bird.
They sing a somewhat sad tune, which can be heard during the night.
They also sing high-pitched tunes during the breeding season.

Katsuodori(Brown booby)

This bird migrates to Ogasawara in order to breed between May and September.
Using binoculars, newborn chicks can sometimes be spotted around June and July on Katsuodorishima Island, which is viewable from Minamisaki Kofuji.
The sight of these birds diving into the water to catch fish is quite spectacular.

A pretty flower with 5 light-pink petals.
Many of them can be seen from around 300m and above on Mt. Chibusayama.

Blooming period: From July to August

Hibiscus Glaber (Endemic Species)

This plant has heart-shaped leaves, and its yellow flower is very similar to the hibiscus.
It flowers throughout the year, and the local Japanese name is Yamaichibi.

Shimazakura (Hedyotis grayi) (Endemic Species)

This plant grows many white flowers with thin purple strains.
They are widely spread from the coast into the central areas of the islands.

Blooming period: From July to September

Munin-himetsubaki(Schima mertensiana) (Endemic Species)

A beautiful shade of white covers the mountains when this flower blooms in June.
It has a delicately sweet fragrance, and is also designated as the village flower.

Wadannoki (Dendrocacalia crepidifolia) (Endemic Species)

An endemic species of Ogasawara that is only found in the Hahajima Island chain.
An extremely rare plant that grows about 5m high while it is an Asteracae (family of plants comprising asters and daisies).

Blooming period: From November to December

Munin Shusuran (endemic orchid)

This endemic orchid can be found growing under the large banyan tree located on the west side of Mt. Chibusayama.
Be careful not to step on them.

Blooming period: From October to January

Ohamabossu (Endemic Species)

This is a perennial herb, with thick and lustrous leaves that grow on the edge of the roots.

Blooming period: From February to May

Takonoki(Pandanus boninensis) (Endemic Species)

These trees are found near the shore, and can grow up to 10m.
It has aerial roots that extend and support the trunk, resembling the legs of an octopus.
It grows a fruit that consists of several cone-shaped segments, somewhat shaped like a pineapple.

Munin Aoganpi (Endemic Species)

This is a low evergreen shrub that grows on dry rocks and mountain ridge trails.
They are usually 1-2m tall, with subtly fragrant, tiny yellow flowers that bloom twice a year in the spring and fall.

Ogasawara Fun Palm (Endemic Species)

This is a low evergreen shrub that grows along the coast as well as on the slopes of mountain ridges, and can become 10m tall.
It is also referred to as “Shuro”, which is the Japanese name for hemp palms.
Before the war its leaves were used to thatch the rooves of houses, and it is still used for the rooves of some rest houses around the island.

■Other species

Boninosuccinea ogasawarae・Boninosuccinea punctulispira

This endemic snail is referred to as Boninosuccinea, and belongs to the succineidae family of snails.
There are two types, the Boninosuccinea ogasawarae and Boninosuccinea punctulispira.
Both are land snails that live in trees and are believed to have become extinct on Chichijima, and are now only found on Hahajima.Areas where they can be spotted on Hahajima are around the summit of Mt. Chibusayama and the Sekimon forest.
They’re only about 3cm long, and the Boninosuccinea punctulispira has a relatively large shell that allows the snail to completely hide itself.On the other hand the Boninosuccinea ogasawarae’s shell is small and has degenerated, therefore it is unable to hide itself.

Okayadokari(Terrestrial hermit crabs)（Natural monument）

This is a land hermit crab that usually lives in the shells of land agate snails, which are an invasive species.They can grow to become the size of a fist and usually lives in the mountains, but descends towards the sea when laying eggs.

Dolphin

Dolphins can be spotted all year round in the seas of Ogasawara.The most commonly spotted dolphins are the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin and spinner dolphin.The Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins are about 2.5m long, and they can be seen swimming alone or in schools of around 30 dolphins.They are highly inquisitive and tend to swim with people if encountered in the sea.The spinner dolphin is around 2m long and slightly smaller than the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin.It has a long beak and swims in schools of a few dozen to even a hundred.They acrobatically spin as they jump from the water, which makes them extremely enjoyable to watch.

Humpback whale

These whales grow up to 13-14m in length, and the females become larger than the males.Their main features are the long pectoral fins that are 1/3 the length of their entire body, random lumps that appear on the top of the head, and a fairly low dorsal fin on its back.Its backside is black and the belly is white, however these colorations can widely vary among humpback whales, with some having larger dark sections or almost completely black.Humpback whales migrate to the seas of the Ogasawara Islands and remain between December to May for breeding.The ideal season for whale watching is from February to April when the sea is relatively calm.During this time of the year, it is possible to see humpback whales with their calves, and also their impressive breaches.

Specialty Goods/ Food

Here are some of Ogasawara’s specialty goods and food.

Tomato

Ogasawara’s tomatoes are spectacularly sweet with just the right balance of sourness, and the skin is much thinner compared to regular tomatoes. Even adults and children who usually don’t eat tomatoes enjoy the fruity flavor of the local tomatoes.

Season: December-May

Passion fruit

A South American tropical fruit with a refreshing, tropical fragrance. The skin texture is glossy with a dark red shade, and rich with a fruity, sour, and exceptionally sweet pulp.
The fruit is usually enjoyed fresh, but also used for jam, juice, and passion fruit liqueur, which is made with island rum.

Season: April-June

Lemon

The island’s lemon is mildly sour with a superbly refreshing fragrance, and picked when the skin is still green.
It is often added to Shochu with water, while lemon jams and curds are also popular products.

Season: August-December

Dragon fruit

A cactus fruit with flesh colors that vary according to types, from white to bright reddish purple. It has an extra juicy flavor, and is usually enjoyed fresh or as a sherbet after being kept in the freezer.

Season: July-October

Swordfishes (broadbills, sailfishes etc.)

The Japanese name for swordfishes is “Kajiki”, which refers to the bottom board of traditional Japanese vessels. The name was given for the fish’s sharp, spear-like bill that could even pierce through the bottom of a boat. It is also the highest selling fish in Ogasawara.

Oval Squid

This is an expensive squid on the mainland, often only served at high class restaurants. However in Ogasawara, they can be regularly caught from the shore during the winter season. The banks of Wakihama and Higashi Port are popular squid fishing spots on Hahajima.

Rum

A local spirit of Ogasawara made from sugar canes. There is also the passion fruit liqueur, which is made by adding local passion fruit to the rum.

Ocean Aged Rum, Mother

“Mother” is a new brand of the island’s local rum, aged in the sea of Ogasawara and inheriting the island’s rum brewing heritage. Sugar canes were extensively grown on the islands until before the war, and they were used to make rum, which became Ogasawara’s local spirit. This new product is made by aging the local “Ogasawara Rum” beneath the sea of Hahajima. It is a brand new rum produced in Tokyo, aged in the ocean that is mother to all living things, and passes down the heritage of Ogasawara.

Shima-zushi

The “Shima-zushi”, or island sushi, is one of Ogasawara’s most famous traditional dishes. The sushi is prepared by soaking white meat fishes, such as Spanish mackerels, in soy sauce and mirin. A unique feature of this sushi is that it is served with Japanese mustard instead of the customary wasabi. This style is said to have been started by the local ladies of Hahajima, as a way to make the sushi preservable since there were no refrigerators at the time. This custom eventually spread throughout Ogasawara and all the way to the Izu islands. Japanese mustard was used since it was difficult to get wasabi on the islands.

Sea Turtle Dishes

Sea turtle dishes are another traditional delicacy of Ogasawara. The fresh red meat is enjoyed as sashimi or sushi, while the stronger flavored innards are usually simmered and served as sea turtle stew. On Chichijima the stew is flavored with salt, but on Hahajima the flavor is soy sauce based.

Pandanus Leaf Crafts

The Pandanus, also locally referred to as the “Octopus Tree”, is the symbolic tree of Ogasawara, and its leaves are used to create various local crafts. These are all handmade, and it requires a lot of time before the picked leaves are ready for making crafts. Since the crafts are made with natural leaves, the appearance, color, and texture of become refined the more they are used.

The Ogasawara Islands were discovered in the Edo period, and became internationally recognized as part of Japan in 1876. The islands flourished between the Taisho and Showa periods thanks to its local fishing, whaling, and coral fishing industries. Agriculture also greatly contributed to the islands’ prosperity, as the subtropical climate made it possible to grow a wide variety of fruits and winter vegetables throughout the year. At its peak, the islands’ population reached around 7,000 people (about 2,000 people on Hahajima).

However in 1944, all island citizens were forced to evacuate due to worsening war conditions. After the war, the Ogasawara Islands became occupied by the United States, but Hahajima remained uninhabited until the reversion in 1968. When people were finally able to return, there were jungles everywhere and the entire island had restored its primitive state (on the other hand, military personnel and descendants of Western origin were living on Chichijima). For this reason, it took 5 years to make the island habitable again after the reversion, and it was not until 1973 when regular civilians were able to return to their homes.

Life on Hahajima

■Life

The population of Hahajima is approximately 460 people.

There were two settlements until before the war, but now there is only one, which is located around Oki Port.
The island community is small and mostly everyone knows each other.

There is no high school on the island, and so the children must leave Hahajima after they graduate middle school (there is a nursery school and elementary/ middle school).

Television broadcasting started in 1984 with the NHK satellite broadcast. Then regular terrestrial broadcast began in 1996, and terrestrial digital broadcast started in 2011.

Since there was no television or any entertainment facilities on the island in the past, the islanders engaged in various activities such as sports and music.
Many sports events and festivals were organized, and today there are events held almost every month.
Activity clubs of Hahajima and Chichijima join once a year to take part in gathering events, and close to 1/3 of the local population participate in these occasions.

The major industries of the island are agriculture, fishing, tourism, and public service.

As for mobile phone reception, NTT DoCoMo began its services in 1999, and all three major mobile phone networks became available from the fall of 2012,
however there is still almost no reception in areas outside of the village.

■Main Annual Events

January 1Opening of the swimming season

Hosted by: Hahajima Tourist Association

Climbing up mountains to watch the first sunrise of the year. Canoe race/ first swim/ New Year’s performance of the Ogasawara taiko (percussions)/ Nanyo Odori (a form of Polynesian dance)/ cutting of New Year’s rice cake/ releasing of sea turtles/ rum tasting. An event where islanders and tourists can enjoy together.

End of June(Henkansai) Festival for the Reversion of the Ogasawara Islands

Hosted by: Henkansai Executive Committee

A festival for the celebration of the reversion of the Ogasawara Islands.
Performances as well as Karaoke by the islanders, food/ drink booths by various groups.
Original T-shirts for the reversion designed by the islanders are popular.

July-AugustSummer Festival

Hosted by: Hahajima Tourist Association

Summer Festivals
Various events held during the summer include the Nanyo-Odori Dance event where everyone wears traditional outfits, the releasing of newborn baby turtles and sea turtles, and also stellar observation nights.

End of AugustHahajima Summer Festival

Hosted by: Hahajima Adults Committee

Bon Odori (traditional festival dance) and food/ drink booths.
The festival is ended with everyone dancing around the festival scaffold and singing the Ogasawara festival song.

Mid to late SeptemberHahajima Canoe Tournament

Hahajima Canoe Club, Hahajima Tourist Association

A canoe race using traditional island outrigger canoes,
where non-participants can also experience riding the canoes.

OctoberOntake Shrine Festival

Hosted by: People involved in agriculture

A festival of Ontake Shrine where the God of agriculture is enshrined.
There is a performance of the Ogasawara taiko (percussions)/ karaoke.

November 23Tsukigaoka Shrine Festival

Tsukigaoka Shrine Parishioner

The mikoshi (portable shrine), festival car, and children playing percussions go around the island. There are food booths in the evening with entertainments of the Ogasawara taiko and karaoke.

Cleaning activities around the island/ beaches

Hahajima Tourist Association

Cleaning around the island/ beach cleaning with the islanders and tourists.

■Main Annual Events

January 1Opening of the swimming season

Hosted by: Hahajima Tourist Association

Climbing up mountains to watch the first sunrise of the year. Canoe race/ first swim/ New Year’s performance of the Ogasawara taiko (percussions)/ Nanyo Odori (a form of Polynesian dance)/ cutting of New Year’s rice cake/ releasing of sea turtles/ rum tasting. An event where islanders and tourists can enjoy together.

End of June(Henkansai) Festival for the Reversion of the Ogasawara Islands

Hosted by: Henkansai Executive Committee

A festival for the celebration of the reversion of the Ogasawara Islands.
Performances as well as Karaoke by the islanders, food/ drink booths by various groups.
Original T-shirts for the reversion designed by the islanders are popular.

July-AugustSummer Festival

Hosted by: Hahajima Tourist Association

Summer Festivals
Various events held during the summer include the Nanyo-Odori Dance event where everyone wears traditional outfits, the releasing of newborn baby turtles and sea turtles, and also stellar observation nights.

End of AugustHahajima Summer Festival

Hosted by: Hahajima Adults Committee

Bon Odori (traditional festival dance) and food/ drink booths.
The festival is ended with everyone dancing around the festival scaffold and singing the Ogasawara festival song.

Mid to late SeptemberHahajima Canoe Tournament

Hahajima Canoe Club, Hahajima Tourist Association

A canoe race using traditional island outrigger canoes,
where non-participants can also experience riding the canoes.

OctoberOntake Shrine Festival

Hosted by: People involved in agriculture

A festival of Ontake Shrine where the God of agriculture is enshrined.
There is a performance of the Ogasawara taiko (percussions)/ karaoke.

November 23Tsukigaoka Shrine Festival

Tsukigaoka Shrine Parishioner

The mikoshi (portable shrine), festival car, and children playing percussions go around the island. There are food booths in the evening with entertainments of the Ogasawara taiko and karaoke.

Cleaning activities around the island/ beaches

Hahajima Tourist Association

Cleaning around the island/ beach cleaning with the islanders and tourists.

Climate and Temperature

■Temperature

The Ogasawara Islands are located in the subtropics, therefore the climate is subtropical with little temperature variances between the winter and summer. At the same time, it is also positioned in an oceanic climate zone where the climate is warm and highly humid. The summers are just as hot as on the mainland, while the winters are much warmer. Some visitors say Hahajima feels more humid and hot compared to Chichijima.

*There is no meteorological station on Hahajima, therefore these figures were recorded at Chibusa Dam at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

■Rain (Rainy Season)

The seasonal rain front that approaches the mainland every year is often situated north of the Ogasawara Islands, and so it is said the islands do not have the “Tsuyu”, which is the Japanese term for the rainy season. However, the amount of rainfall increases for about a month after the holiday season of Golden Week in Japan, and so this is considered to be the islands’ rainy season. Rain also increases between August to October with occasional squalls.

■Typhoons

Typhoons develop above seas south from Ogasawara when the water temperature rises. Ogasawara rarely experiences direct typhoon hits, yet the courses of ships can be affected depending on the proximity of these storms. In these situations the schedule of the regular passenger liner from Tokyo can be delayed, canceled, or even moved forward when docked in Chichijima. Please contact Ogasawara Kaiun Co., Ltd. for information regarding the latest information of ship schedules.

■Four seasons

Spring

■April to May [ Temperature during the day is around 25℃ Temperature in the mornings and evenings are around 18℃ ]
Fine days can be as hot as in the summer, however the temperature can suddenly drop due to changes with the weather, and so sweatshirts or windbreakers are necessary. From the beginning until the middle of May is the rainy season and it can continue to rain for a few days.

Summer

■June to September [Temperature during the day is around 31℃ Temperature in the mornings and evenings are around 24℃ ]
Please be careful with sunburns and dehydration as humidity is high and the sunlight is strong during the day. Make sure to carry at least a liter of water or a drink when visiting locations away from the center of the village. Take at least 2 liters if you plan to hike up a mountain. Around the middle of August becomes the typhoon season.

Autumn

■October to November [Temperature during the day is around 28℃ Temperature in the mornings and evenings are around 22℃ ]
It can become as hot as in the summer on fine days, however there are also days with low temperature so it would be better to have clothes such as sweatshirts or windbreakers. The water temperature stays high during this period, which makes it suitable for swimming on a fine day. However, the typhoon season approaches after this so please be careful.

Winter

■December to March [Temperature during the day is around 20℃ Temperature in the mornings and evenings are around 15℃ ]
There are fine days when just a t-shirt would be comfortable, yet it can become chilly when the wind from the north blows or during the mornings and evenings. For these reasons it would be better to have clothes that protect you from the wind, clothes such as trainers that retain humidity, long sleeve shirts, and long pants as well as socks.

■Open hours／8:00～12:00, 13:00～17:00
■Closed days／On Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays when the Ogasawara-maru is out of the port of Chichijima
(The afternoon on the departure day becomes closed if the departure day of the Ogasawara-maru is a Saturday, Sunday, or national holiday).